Q: I need something to plant in a space that’s quite long; part is shady and some is in full sun. I’d love the plant to have year round interest and maybe attract wildlife. What do you think about Oregon...

Q: What are the rules on urban farms or gardens in Fulton County? How much of our property can we dedicate to growing vegetables? A: Becky Griffin, UGA urban agriculture specialist, says that in June the Atlanta City Council passed...

Q: We were spreading a pile of mulch and came across eggs that are as big as chicken eggs, but more slender. Our neighbor’s lawn man killed a timber rattlesnake in their yard a couple of weeks ago. Hope these...

Q: Do you know of any business that sells quality topsoil by the bag rather than the woodchip-filled debris presently available? A: Like you, I’ve been disappointed by the “dollar-a-bag” topsoil products I find at big-box stores. You can make...

Q: We have found baby copperheads in our yard. I am very afraid of snakes and worried about my two small children playing there. I’m afraid that we have a nest of them. A: Copperheads bear live young so they...

Q: I’ve been researching Powderblue blueberry bushes. I need four plants to get a good harvest for my family. Do I need to also purchase a different variety for cross pollination? A: ‘Powderblue’ is an excellent choice. You’ll get better...

Q: Many of my pines were covered in English ivy. On several trees I’ve clipped the vines on the trunk but the leaves still seem to be thriving. A: It can take several weeks for English ivy vines to die....

Q: We have a mulch pile that is invaded with ants and they swarm out when stirred up. Any suggestions for control? A: Turning the pile over a couple of times usually does the trick. If you work quickly they...

Q: How effective are tree growth regulators for maple trees? I’ve got some twenty-five-foot high maple trees on a sloped hill. They’re doing well but I’m wondering if I can slow down their growth. A: Chris Hastings (www.arbormedics.com) says he...

Q: This past winter reduced our large pampas grass to a circle of papery stems. There are four or five clumps of healthy new growth on the perimeter. Nothing has sprouted in the center. What to do? A: Sadly, it...

Q: I would like to plant a flowering shrub that also has colorful foliage. The area is in a sunny spot and southern exposure. A: Consider named varieties of common abelia, Abelia x grandiflora. Typically this shrub grows to ten...

Q: I have hordes of tiny ants living in my outdoor potted plants. Are they a problem for the plants in those pots? A: Not usually, but I suppose an argument could be made that some ant species bring aphids...

Q: On your show you mentioned serviceberry tree. Which variety is best? I would like a large variety as opposed to a bush. A: Serviceberry is one of my all-time favorites. It has pretty flowers in spring, edible fruit and...

Q: We have a beautiful new Atlas weeping cedar and it’s doing well. I can’t find any information about what to do if some of its limbs drag the ground. A: Rick Smith (www.pruningguru.com) says Blue Atlas cedar is an...

Q: What are the beetles that gather by the dozens in magnolia blossoms? Are they harmful to the tree? A: Magnolias are among the most primitive plants we use in our landscapes. Dinosaurs probably enjoyed their shade. They developed the...

Q: Not one of my Endless Summer hydrangeas bloomed this summer. What did I do? I’ve had them for several years and always a good show. A: If they have good green foliage they will eventually bloom this summer. The...